Transfer Case Oil Change

I do know that the Toyota 75W is much thinner than

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90.

 

Ok Guys, I rang three dealers in Canada. Stampede Toyota in Calgary, as well as two in Saskatchewan. All Service Centres use 75W90. All supplied by Esso, which is the Mobil fluids. Some have never heard of 75W. None had any 75W in stock. None use 75W85 in the Tundrav either. so 75W90 it is!!! At least this keeps things simple!

 

That is quite alarming. So some of the dealers haven't even heard of the fluid that has been speced since 2014?

 

Thats right!

 

That's what I found calling two of my local dealers...all using 75W90 (GL5) in both diffs and transfer case just like the 2007-2013's. Thus the reason I put Amsoil 75W90 in my 2020 transfer case. No issues at all. It actually appears to engage and disengage quicker.

 

That is very surprising since 75W90 is so much thicker than 75W. Also, the Toyota 75W has a special additive just for the synchronization for shifting on the fly. Nobody knows what the additive is, from what I researched, but they are saying that Ravenol is the closest match.

If I am not mistaken, I believe that the 75W90 is almost 4 times thicker.

 

Royal Purple Synchromax is compatible with the 2014+ TC, it lists it on their spec sheet, and won't cost you an arm and a leg like the stock stuff will.

 

I actually have no idea. All I know is the Amsoil 75W90 is working well for me (I engage at least once a month in the summer). I have no concerns at all. It's a transfer case after all...not a transmission.

 

"As a general rule high viscosity oils are best for low speed, loaded gears with a rough surface. Higher viscosity provides a thicker film, higher wear resistance, and less deformation of the gears as time goes on.

Low viscosity oils, on the other hand, are best for high speed systems with lower load. They provide a thinner film and better cooling to match the higher speed of the gearbox in question."

The 75W is going to have a min kinetic viscosity of 3.8 at 100°C were the 75W90 is going to be at 13.5 min kinetic viscosity at the same temperature. Don't forget that

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90's are typically designed for hypoid gears. An ATF would have a closer viscosity match to the 75W which is probably why my two of my trucks in the last 20 years used it in the TC's.

 

I've been using the Ravenol for about 10k miles without issue. However, I don't use 4wd that often. Few times a year, typically during hunting season. That's about it. It's currently $21/quart on Amazon.

I also have a cousin who was a tech at a Toyota dealership in PA. They all put 75w/90 in the T-cases....some were not aware of the 75w, but if a customer requests, they'll put it in but like everyone here knows, it's $$$. Last time I was at the dealer, they wanted $85/quart. Seriously....

 

I had every fluid changed at 60k my dealer used BG chemicals which comed with a warranty on any part that touches their fluid....then took it home to change out the plugs ill do it all again 90ish

 

Give it up man ! lol, With all due respect you've been arguing your opinion that 75w90 shouldn't be used for months now on this thread. You are beating a , until we here have pictures and real documentation that running 75w90 in the 2014-2021 T-cases will cause premature failure anyone can use whatever they want , that being ravenol , royal purple syncromax, Toyota 75w or 75w90 gear oil and so on ........ You seem overly adamant to get your opinion across about how 75w90 is a completely different oil with different additives. Id swear you work for toyota and are trying to get people to buy more Toyota 75W oil lol . There has been many people here who have run 75w90 in their t-cases for tens of thousands ( if not hundreds of thousands ) of miles without issue .
Your point has be documented here on the previous pages and or threads about this subject . time to move on sir

 

I’m sure he is trying to make sure people are aware that Toyota used to recommend 75-90 and then changed the t-case and it is NOT the proper fluid on the 2014+ t-cases. You might want to do some more reading on other threads about the several people that had some pretty major issues using 75-90.

Is it possible the special additive in the Toyota fluid will keep the internals happy and working problem free 10-20+ years down the road? Maybe you’re right and the fluid doesn’t matter but it’s way too soon to tell if cheaping out on the the correct fluid to save $100 is worth the savings.

https://parts.deserttoyota.com/p/To...72/3611004030.html?clickSource=relatedProduct

 

Just trying to pass on some information that I had learned while researching the 75W. But if you paid the dealership to put 75W90 in your case, I can see why your are defensive about it. Good day.

 

Im sure glad for your info, imho. I was gonna go on that route of using

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90. After reading the manual stating 75W. I rather spend a few hundred dollars to get the correct fluid than pay a new transfer case.

 

As AZboathauler had stated, I don't think that short term damage is the issue. My concern is what will the TC look like in ten years. We have a double overdrive transmission spinning a set of low 4:30 gears. Things are spinning quite fast in that TC. Is the 75W needed for tighter tolerances? Is it needed for increased thermal transfer? This forum will be around for a while so I guess we will find out eventually how important the 75W is. I just can't believe that dealerships don't even know what the proper fluid is.

 

An this is why I use the recommended fluid in the t-case. Will have no warranty issues as the manufacturer of the oil lists it as a direct replacement for the expensive Toyota fluid. RP Synchromax.

 

Thing is that I didn't pay the dealer to fill my T-case with 75w90 , I'm a little defensive because I see no proof behind your ongoing argument. All I read here is opinions. No one is posting articles from Toyota showing proof that you absolutely cannot use a certain fluid . Yes everyone is entitled to state their own opinion and I respect that but when someone goes out of their way time and time again to hammer threads with nothing but an "opinion" that 75w90 will destroy our transfer cases is just annoying non sense . Might I even say its on the verge of fear mongering people into being scared to use anything but what the all mighty owner manual states .
Being a technician myself I used my common sense and experience to make the choice to try Amsoil severe gear 75w90 for the last 30,000 miles in my tundra . Zero problems , Zero issues , I even have a Gold magnetic drain plug installed in my T case , there was zero metal filings on the plug when I recently drained the 75w90 . Clean as a whistle.
From what I've found from my research is that the Toyota 75W oil is mainly used for optimal thermal heat transfer and fuel economy . Thats it , Not tighter tolerances . Again we are talking about a fairly simple borg warner transfer case here , not something nasa engineered . People need to leave their OCD out of this and not over think it .

 

You have one case of a 30,000 mile run in your own application, touting the non issue of using a "non-spec'd" fluid. So are you not in essence doing the exact same thing as you are accusing others of?

 

Having a 30.000 mile run using 75w90 seems like more than what anyone else here has brought to the table . Am I wrong ? besides I am sure I'm not the only one who has run 75w90 in their T-case for an extended amount of time without issue.

As for not being "spec'd" means nothing when speaking of our transfer case . If you have rebuilt borg warner transfer cases like I have and understand the inner workings of our specific unit , then you might understand .

For example I run 5w30 synthetic in my engine , but Toyota "spec'd" it to run 0w20. Anyone with a brain knows that 0w20 is only called for by toyota to satisfy CAFE and emission regulations , the engine isn't built around that specific weight of oil . its there just for fuel economy reasons . And our 5.7 is much more complex compared to these T-cases

This transfer case fluid situation is pretty much the same scenario IMO

 

IMO , In My Opinion? Others are fact less and arbitrary and cause angst for those who know (you). So we are to take it and not voice any contrary OPINIONS, like YOU?

 

I never said anyone cannot voice there opinions . Ill let you re-read my previous statement and see if that helps you feel better .

"Yes everyone is entitled to state their own opinion and I respect that but when someone goes out of their way time and time again to hammer threads with nothing but an "opinion" that 75w90 will destroy our transfer cases is just annoying non sense . Might I even say its on the verge of fear mongering people into being scared to use anything but what the all mighty owner manual states ."

In case you missed it .... My entire point here is to just use whatever fluid you want to within reason , use 75w90 , use 80w90 , use royal purple etc.. I don't care ... its really doesn't matter long term , I just cant stand people who feel the need to be heard over and over again, making it their life mission to convince others to follow suit . and who take the owners manual as gospel.

If someone here is still unsure about what fluid to run, go actually talk to a professional technician who has real experience in the subject . not go searching for unreliable "opinions" on an internet forum full of armchair mechanics and keyboard warriors who claim they have " researched" the subject .

If had a nickel for every time a customer came to me and said " I heard on a forum......" Id be retired sitting on beach somewhere warm

 

The ultimate recipe for a forum argument:
- Opinion on the best oil brand to use add a dash of beating up other oil brands
- Opinion on the best oil weight for added flavour

 

You know it

 

I feel fine thank you. People can't drive a point home, but you can? ........................................... OH right, I reread, I'm brain dead.... You win !

 

Show me where Toyota says you can’t use vegetable oil in the engine or put diesel fuel in the gas tank…that’s essentially your argument here.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/transfer-case-oil-for-borg-warner.56170/page-2#post-1493206

 

I see what you're saying , maybe you're vegetable oil and diesel fuel analogy isn't the most accurate . However for clarity what I was saying is that I have not seen any TSB / article from Toyota or borg warner stating that 75w90 cannot be used .

 

I think that most of the confusion is coming from the fact that "75W90" has "75W" in the spec and people truly don't understand how different they are. Nobody would run 30W in their engine when the manufacturer calls for 5W30. But for some reason "gear oil is gear oil".

 

You are correct . to be clear the "W" doesn't stand for Weight , it stands for Winter . with 75w90 in subzero temps the oil has a viscosity index of 75 , at operating temp (200 degrees) or whatever is normal operating temp is the oil will have viscosity index of 90.

As for toyotas 75W oil. does that mean its strictly a low viscosity oil made for winter ? that would explain the reasons behind it being used for fuel economy . if this is the case id be concerned about it providing adequate protection in hotter climates . but this is all speculation at this point . Food for thought maybe

Id run straight 30 weight engine oil if I lived in hot climates like Arizona or the middle east countries lol

 

Me too !